Mastering the winter semester together

Dear staff,
dear students,
sirs and madams,

Last week, the Federal Government and the States agreed on extensive coronavirus regulations with a view to the coming autumn and winter months. Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Minister Presidents describe the situation in terms of the coronavirus pandemic as “still serious”. It is most likely to intensify during the upcoming autumn and winter months.

The number of new infections is already rising. Against this backdrop, the Federal States have currently agreed on a catalogue of joint measures. Plans include a nationwide, uniform penalty for those who refuse to wear face masks and a potential end to the quarantine for travellers returning from high-risk areas upon a negative test as from day five. Large events where it is not possible to adhere to the coronavirus regulations should generally be prohibited until the end of the year.

Social distancing and hygiene regulations on campus continue to apply

The University Board hereby declares ongoing, continuous adherence to official measures to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. We also request that you, the members of the CAU, as well as all of the university’s guests, keep contributing towards maintaining control of the pandemic on site so that we can master the coming winter semester with as few restrictions as possible.
This includes, above all, that we stick to social distancing and hygiene regulations on campus and behave responsibly in our free time, even after months of social fasting. Unfortunately, not everyone has managed this over the past few weeks. We all long to get our closeness and casual sense of community back. Not having this is increasingly difficult for us all. But this must not mean that the stability we have achieved is put at risk. The worst is sadly not yet overcome. The hygiene plans that have been developed therefore still apply for the coming winter semester: www.uni-kiel.de/en/coronavirus/hygiene-conceptual-framework. The crisis management team is constantly expanding and adjusting them to suit new situations.

Returning travellers: please adhere to the rules

We also appeal to those coming back to the CAU from high-risk areas to absolutely adhere to the quarantine or testing provisions after their return. In future, the intention is to end a quarantine early by conducting a swab test – as from the fifth day after returning at the earliest. This regulation is expected to apply as from October 1. Quarantines at home are to be intensively checked up on, and those who do not adhere to them are at risk of severe penalties. University Management will keep you informed about the further developments on our corona homepage www.uni-kiel.de/en/coronavirus.

We want to overcome the coronavirus pandemic with you, together. The regulations we need in order to do so are not an expression of flippant restrictions to freedom, but are our joint obligation to overcome one of the biggest crises of the past decades with solidarity and public spiritedness. The CAU stands for this, and we can all do our part.

With kind regards and the hope that you all stay well!
The University Board